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10 Projects To Tackle Before Selling A House

Looking to get a leg up on the housing market? These easy upgrades can make your home more appealing to buyers.

Like all sellers, you want your house to appeal to a wide range of buyers who can afford your asking. But to stand out in a crowded market, you need to make your home look as desirable as possible.

Tried-and-true tactics such as painting and decluttering can go a long way toward achieving this goal — but these other simple home staging tips can up your home’s wow factor and lead to a quick sale.

1. Have all of your carpeting cleaned

This is especially true if you have pets. (Eau de dog is not the odor you want wafting through your home as potential buyers walk through it.)

If your carpeting is old and tired and you have hardwood flooring underneath, remove the carpet. Chances are, buyers are going to want to know the condition of the floors anyway.

2. Give your moldings a makeover

If your moldings are chipped or scuffed, give them a quick touch-up. Ditto any walls that have scuff marks or stains.

3. Do up your deck

If you have outdoor living space such as a deck or patio, make it look as inviting as possible. Upgrade existing outdoor furniture by purchasing new cushions or pillows, give your grill a good cleaning, and add some potted plants or flowers. If it’s winter and you live in a cold climate, be sure to keep these areas shoveled to show them off.

4. Freshen up your front door

Give it a coat of paint and replace your house numbers with a more modern font. If your mailbox has seen better days (or has been knocked over by a snowplow one too many times), buy a new one. Also, be sure your entryway looks tidy; don’t welcome potential buyers with clutter. That means no stray soccer cleats or sets of keys by the door.

5. Remove roof moss

Moss may make buyers think your roof is old and will need to be replaced soon. If you have the nerve to get up on your roof, it’s simple to remove moss: just use a long-handled scrub brush to scour it loose, working down the roof to keep from lifting and breaking the shingles. Don’t use a pressure washer — the power of the spray could damage shingles.

6. Make sure your mechanics are in working order

“Buyers want to feel as though a furnace or boiler is in good shape and has life left in it,”. Have these items cleaned and inspected prior to putting your house up for sale.

7. Cut your closets in half

No, not literally, but if you remove half the items in your closet and then neatly organize the remaining clothing, the closets will instantly appear larger — a big plus to buyers.

8. Update your outlets

If your electrical outlets and switches are outdated and yellowed, replace them with a more modern version. Make sure to use the same style in each room for a uniform look. Replace your switch plates too if they’re looking a little dingy.

9. Replace your toilet seats

It’s an inexpensive upgrade that goes a long way toward making your bathroom appear updated. Ditto a new shower curtain and a fresh coat of grout in the shower.

10. Perk up your pulls

If your kitchen cabinets or drawers are on the older side but you don’t have the time or inclination to redo them, replace the knobs and pulls with a more modern or unique version. This is an inexpensive task, yet it can make a huge difference in your kitchen’s appeal.

Century 21 Canada Limited Partnership currently has franchise opportunities available in select markets across Canada. The intent of this communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a solicitation to anyone under contract with another real estate brokerage organization. CENTURY 21® is a registered trademark owned by Century 21 Real Estate LLC, used under license. ® Trademarks of AIR MILES International Trading B.V. Used under license by LoyaltyOne, Inc. and Century 21 Canada Limited Partnership.

Certain listing content on this website has been provided by The Canadian Real Estate Association. The compilation of such Listing Content is owned by The Canadian Real Estate Association and/or its member Boards and Associations and licensed to Century 21 Canada Limited Partnership.